It has taken what seems like a lifetime to be able to express my creative thoughts in a way that reflects my experiences and knowledge.

My fascination grew when my mother gave me a book to read; Manchild in the Promise Land by Claude Brown. From there, I ventured into readings such as Rainbow Jordan by Alice Childress. These authors captured the struggle has been within the urban community through generations. But when I picked up True to the Game, Coldest Winter Ever up to Project Chick and all of Kwan’s writings I then realized that not only has struggle played a forever existing role in African American’s lives but has allowed us to create a world outside of rap music where we can tell our stories and experiences in black and white. We are shattering the myth that black folx don’t read with each turn of a page. The world of urban fiction has opened the doors for voices that normally would never have been heard. I started expressing my views in reference to urban life through poetry, inspired by Maya Angelou, which turned into short stories then "Eyes on the Pryze." At the time, I was signed to Queen Midas Books and penned my sophomore and Jr. books SISTAH CIRCLE 1&2. And Eyes on the Pryze 1-5 series. I currently added a new mini-series to my published books; Hand Me Downs and in January 2016, I will release the sequel to Hand Me Downs titled Handed Down to close out the series I will have a contest that will allow two readers to complete Pt.3 Hand Over Hand Fist Over Fist and become published authors.

 I have learned so much from J.P. Simmons and as she continues to mentor me as I venture into my own publishing home; Urban Grapevine Publishings and Urban Grapevine Media that I an partnered with Shadress Burkes (Author Shadress Denise). We are grabbing the media industry   and running with it making a path and platform for authors and everyone in the literary industry! Boom Bam Pow! BABY!

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